Corpse-preserver



(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 1.

S. STOCKTON. OORPSE PRESERVER.

No. 340,528. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

S. STOCKTON.

OORPSB PRESERVER. v No. 340,528. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

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SAMUEL STOCKTON, OF LAMBEPr-TVILLE, HEW JERSEY.

CORPSE=PRESERVEH SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 34.0,528, dated April 20, 1836.

Application filed January 30. 1886. Serial No. 190,330. (No model.)

server. Fig. 2 is a plan view .with the cover removed. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the cooling-board, the ice-box being removed.

Fig. 4 is a vertical central section on line m, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 isa transverse section on line 3 y,Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an end view of the cooling-board, showing the head-rest elevated. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the cooling-board.

This invention relates to improvements in corpse-preservers, the main object being to keep the head and shoulders of the cadaver at a higher elevation than the body, so that the blood will gravitate out of the head and not discolor the face, as is often the case, and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out inthe appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A designates the case of the device, composed of the upper section, A, and lower section, A". The upper section contains the ice-box B, metal-lined, and having the semi-cylindrical metal flooring B. At the head of the icebox, rising from the flooring, is the tubular oval face-opening b,of usual construction, and rising from the flooring at the foot of the icebox is thetube 1). Both the tube 1) and faceopeningb communicate with the section A below the ice-box.

O is the lid or cover of the ice-hox, secured thereon in the usual manner, and having the hinged front section,c,provided with a proper facc'glass, all, over the opening.

0 is the tube and opening through which the melted ice escapes.

The upper section is secured upon the lower section by dowel-pins, or by other wellknown means.

10 is the cooling-board, composed of the 1 lower board, E, which lies upon the floor of the lower section, A", and is provided at its foot with the long longitudinal notch or recess c, and the grating F,composed ofthe longitudinal slats f, and separtcd from the board E by the transverse slats f and blocks f G is the loot-rest, composed ofa block, 9, which travels in the recess or notch e, and a vertical foot-plate, g, which rises from the rear end of said block. The upper edges of the block 9 has lateral flanges g", which enter the space between the board E and the grating and keep the foot-rest in place vertically.

g is a cord or rubber band secured to the rear surface otthe foot-plate, passing thence around the side edges of the same, and adapt ed to surround the feet of the cadaver and hold them in place.

The grating F has hinged at its head, between its two outer slats, a flap, H, which bears the head-rest.

I is the headrest standard,which rises from the front end of the flap in the central line ot' the same, and inclines somewhat outward, and 1 is the headrest, concaved on its upper surface to receive the head, and provided with an opening in which the standard is secured, the two being so united that the headrest will be parallel with the cooling-board, when the flap is down.

dis a cord or rubber band secured to the extension of the standard above the head-rest, and designed to pass under the chin of the cadaver and keep the head in place.

J J are detents, pivoted at their upperends, which rest in longitudinal slots, in the flap slots, and having their points beveled on their inner sides, and j is atransverse bar connect ing the said detents near their points.

K Kare two longitudinal lines of detentnotches made on the upper surface of the board E below the fiap, and adapted to engage the points of the detents J. These notches upon a transverse rod, j,passing through said 2 seosza to the cooling-board the head and shoulders can be raised by lifting the flap and engaging the detents in the notches, and that the adjustment will be different for each pair of notches. hen in the desired position, the weight of the head and shoulders will keep the detents engaged.

Then the head-rest is at its highest adjusfl merit, it can be lowered by means of pulling on the cord L, and thereby lilting the detents out of engagement. The weight of the head, when the cord is released, will cause engagement with a notch farther forward.

The foot-rest, sliding in the recess in the board E, can be adjusted to bodies of different heights.

By means of the tubular face-opening and the tube at the foot of the ice-box the air surrounding the cadaver, and consequently, warmed thereby, may rise up into the ice-box and be replaced by colder air from above. This action will continue with decreasing rapidity tillthe cadaver has the same temperature as the ice-cold air surrounding it.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a corpse-preservcr, the combination, with thecooling-board composed of the grating F and board E, provided with the notch or recess 0, of the hinged flap and head-rest secured thereto, substantially as described, and the foot-rest composed ofthe foot-plate g, and the block 9, provided with the flanges, 9 substantially as specified.

2. In a corpse-preserver, the combination, with the cooling-board composed of the grating F and board E, provided with the detentnotches K, of the hinged flap H, detents J, pivoted thereto, standard I, and head-rest I, all constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a corpsepreserver, the combination of the cooling-board provided with detentnotches,the hinged flap bearing the headrest, the detents pivoted to said ilap and connected by a transverse bar, and the cord secured to said bar and passing through an openingin the casing above said bar for the purpose of lowering the flap and head-rest whilethe casing is closed, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own Ialiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL STOCKTON.

\Vitnesses:

SIMEON R. HUsEL'roN. \VILsoN BRAY. 

